RIALTO – A Redevelopment Agency project that’s expected to bring an In-N-Out Burger to the city almost certainly will not be affected by Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed plan to dissolve redevelopment agencies statewide.

The project is already too far along and it’s very unlikely Brown’s plan, if approved by the Legislature, would throw a wrench in its spokes, said agency Director Robb Steel.

But long-term development plans, such as shopping centers at the former site of the Rialto Municipal Airport, aren’t as safe.

“I feel pretty good that we’re going to be able to get that (In-N-Out) project done,” Steel said. “But what happens to all these projects that we have in various stages?”

In September, the council voted to transfer ownership of the former Fire Station 202 site at 1925 N. Riverside Ave. to the agency so it could fund work needed to ready it for development.

That includes relocating two cellular phone towers, asbestos abatement and land improvements such as grading, landscaping and installing fencing and signage, Steel said.

Contracts to tear down existing buildings at the site have been awarded and demolition work should begin this month, Steel said.

At a City Council meeting Tuesday, Steel told the council he expects to present them a purchase and sale agreement between the agency and In-N-Out in two to four weeks.

The deal hasn’t been finalized, but would likely require the city to complete the various land improvements. Once that work is done In-N-Out would be required to purchase the land where the restaurant would be built.

The agency and In-N-Out are hopeful the new restaurant will open sometime later this year, Steel said.

Councilman Ed Scott said he would support calling a special council meeting to provide necessary approvals if the state were to make a move that would jeopardize the project.

Several other economic development projects are in the works, including those at the former airport site, that would rely on Redevelopment Agency money, said Steel.

He’s not sure what would become of them if redevelopment agencies go away. The airport project is a council priority and would likely be completed through some other means, but things are less certain for other projects, he said.

Highland Mayor Larry McCallon says Brown’s plan won’t affect an In-N-Out that’s planned to be built in front of the LA Fitness gym along Greenspot Road.

But he does believe the plan is counterproductive and will eliminate one of the best job producing tools local governments have.

“The (agencies) are one of the ways cities can create jobs by (funding) infrastructure improvements,” McCallon said. “With unemployment at 12 percent it’s wrong public policy to say we’re going to do away with (agencies).”